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Years Ago From Now: Chapter Nineteen
September 1st, 1980
September the first was generally only a special day to the faculty, staff, and students of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Along with their families, they would embark on a brand new year of magical learning, some for the very first time. Hermione hadn't been closely involved with the school for a while now, though, and it would be a long time before Draco would roam their alma mater.
Currently, she was seated in the dining room eating some fruit as a late afternoon snack while Draco happily played on a blanket on the floor, batting his hands at the small snitches Hermione had enchanted to swoop gently overhead. She was just thinking of the fact that at just about this time, students would be being sorted into their houses at Hogwarts, approximately 500 miles away.
She jumped when a loud voice proclaimed "I did it!" from somewhere outside of the room.
"Narcissa! I got it! It's done!" Lucius's voice yelled. She could hear his feet thumping quickly across the floors as he ran toward the room, and she stood up, eyes wide when he appeared before her.
"The circle?!" she asked, feeling excitement flood her body.
"Yes! All that's left to do is to test it, but I am so certain that it almost seems unnecessary! This is one for the history books! You'll need to send all of this to Lily, of course, and then I can write my manuscript and…" his voice trailed off as his jaw clenched.
Hermione winced in commiseration as she walked toward him, wrapping her arms around him in a hug. He was stiff for a moment before relaxing, sighing audibly in disappointment.
Hermione could just imagine how frustrating it must be… to come up with something so revolutionary to one's chosen field and know you would have to wait twenty years at least to tell people and be recognized for it.
She pulled back and put her hands on either side of Lucius's face. "Lucius, I know that it is…hard. But we know what you've done, and most importantly…. It will be used for the good of the one that needs it most. Lily will be so grateful."
Lucius nodded, clearly trying to rid himself of his suddenly sour mood. "You are right, of course. And you knowing and… well, it means a lot having you to share my good deeds with. Especially when it seems like I am doomed to only be known for bad."
Hermione slid her hands around to the back of his neck and leaned up onto her tiptoes, pressing her lips against his gently. "Let's go test it."
They called for Mink who gladly took on the duties of keeping Draco safe and occupied and the couple quickly went up to Narcissa's old bedroom. Following Lucius's directives, Hermione set to drawing the circle itself while Lucius went behind her, filling up the border with the required runes. When Hermione was done with her easier task, she asked if he wanted her help with the runes, but he said he wanted to finish it. Hermione instead sat down at the desk chair and watched as Lucius meticulously hand drew each rune, double checking that the angles were perfect and starting the individual runes from scratch if they weren't. Considering the circle had a 9 foot diameter, it was quite the task.
When finished, they had Boden bring them several large rugs, laying them over the top. Lucius surveyed the room and double checked his notes before nodding. "Let's get started."
Hermione frowned. "Well, how exactly do we test that it will protect against the killing curse without casting the killing curse?"
Lucius shook his head. "It isn't about the curse, but about making sure that all of the energy the curse expends is able to rebound and be contained. The Circle takes care of the rebound, reflecting all energy cast inside the circle directly back at the caster. The blood magic takes care of the protection for Harry."
"But still, how do we test it?"
Lucius went to stand in the center of the rug, near where the center of the circle would be. "Theoretically, for now, anything I cast should bounce back at me. Almost as if I am surrounded by invisible mirrors. So, let's see. Tarantallegra!" Lucius cast the spell toward the bed, but almost immediately, the light bounced back at him, and his feet started to dance uncontrollably.
Hermione quickly cancelled the spell. "If all the energy comes back…why do we need additional protection for Harry?"
"It is much like a muggle bullet. The bullet will still leave an impression on whatever it hits, regardless of if it ricochets. The runic circle controls the ricochet, bringing it directly back instead of moving it to any sort of angle. The 'impression' left behind on most would be rectified by a simple finite. Unfortunately, the killing curse does not have a countercurse. The blood protection will create a… film of sorts on Harry. Wherever the curse strikes, it will still leave an impression, but an impression that the protection was there instead of letting the effects of the curse strike him. The Dark Lord's magic will leave an impression on the protection into Harry's skin, but the effects of the curse will rebound."
"So the runic circle unquestionably works? What of stronger spells?"
"There is no such thing as stronger spells, just more energy spent and a wizard able to manage expending it."
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Thank you, Professor."
Lucius frowned at her before closing his eyes and aiming his wand vaguely toward her bathroom door. "Not even sure if this is possible considering intent…" He took a few deep breaths before opening his eyes and looking at it with deadly intention. "Crucio!" Hermione watched in a split second of horror as the spell struck the door and was already starting to move when it hit Lucius. As quickly as it hit him, it stopped, but it didn't stop Lucius from crumpling to the floor with a scream, though. She wrapped her arms around him as he panted, pulling himself up to his knees. "Just discovered a new use for Occlumency, I suppose. One can hide fear of self-inflicted pain. I don't think it will be widely used."
Hermione barely prevented herself from hitting him across the head. Only the knowledge that it did definitely prove the circle worked stopped her.
"Okay. And the blood protection. Is there a way we can test that? Without casting unforgiveables on each other?"
Lucius shook his head. "Not to the extent Lily will need. She has to be dead for it to work. If he were to kill Harry before her, it would only result in both Harry and the Dark Lord dying."
"So we have to rely on faith, then?"
Lucius sighed, pulling her into a hug. "That or the fact that you know the supposedly unchangeable future."
"But both will work together?"
Lucius nodded. "Yes. Lily will have to cut herself and drip blood onto the circle. The rug being there will not deter it as the circle is technically not a two dimensional circle but a 3 dimensional cylinder. In my directions, I am going to suggest she carry a knife on her at all times so that it is ready when she runs with Harry to the nursery. She could even cut herself while she's running, as long as she spills blood in the circle. She will have to whisper a chant to Harry, three times and make sure some of her blood is on him as well. She will be holding him while chanting so that's easy enough. That should take approximately a minute, but James…. James will be enough of a distraction for that I believe."
"And then… then she just stands in the way and pleads for him to kill her instead…."
Lucius nodded. "Yes. She has to verbally offer herself up as a willing victim inside the circle with spilled blood."
Hermione sighed, tears coming to her eyes. "Good. How will we know she drew the circle properly?"
"I was thinking she could send a pensieve memory. One of her inspecting it herself once she has drawn it. It is drawn with ash from a Yew evenly mixed with sap of an Ash. I already have had that prepared to send her to draw it several times over just in case. I can review her memory and look at everything to make sure it is correct."
"What is she to tell James?"
Lucius shrugged. "Whatever she wants, I suppose. To our knowledge, there's no way to know what she told him. Fate will decide."
Two days later, Draco was taking a post lunch nap while Hermione and Lucius sat Narcissa's bedroom, comparing Lily's memories of the cast rune circle to the one that Lucius had successfully drawn. They were interrupted by an owl tapping at the window.
Lucius opened the window and felt his heart drop as he took the letter, and Hermione cooed over the poor, exhausted looking owl.
"This poor owl. He looks miserable."
"Possibly because of the fact that he is owned by the Dark Lord," Lucius muttered. Hermione took an illogical step back away from the bird on the windowsill as if he might have some sort of contagion before catching herself and holding her arm out for the bird.
"Come, I'll call for the elves to bring you up some nice, fat mice. How's that?" she said, coaxing the balding owl toward her.
Lucius opened the envelope and read.
Lucius,
I apologize for my lack of manners. I do hope you will forgive my lack of haste in coming to meet one of the first of the next generation of Death Eaters. I have been very busy, something I assume you must be as well considering the fact that I have not yet been invited. An oversight, I am sure. Young Draco will have much to offer to our cause in the future, and I greatly look forward to meeting him. You can expect me this evening at seven for dinner.
-LV
Lucius looked up to see Hermione crouched down with the owl, near a box she had conjured that he assumed contained some mice considering the owls attentiveness toward it.
"Narcissa, love. Come here."
Something in his voice had Hermione look up, worried, before the couple sat down on the edge of the bed. Wordlessly, he handed her the letter.
A few seconds later, Hermione looked up with a nod, trying to hide the nervousness in her gaze. "We knew this was coming, Lucius."
"You've never met him! He's…"
"A sociopathic megalomaniac?" she intoned, nonplussed.
"But you aren't ready!" he half shouted.
Hermione looked at him. He was clearly frightened for her. Their time of peace before she had to deal with the Dark Lord was at an end. Hermione, however, felt strangely… calm about it, though.
"I've been practicing Occlumency. You said I am pretty solid. Ultimately, though, we both agree that he is unlikely to do more than a surface scan of my thoughts… if that. He trusts that Narcissa, like Bellatrix, adores him. Even if we choose to serve in different way. I just have to be uninteresting enough for him to not worry with too much."
Lucius shook his head. "You should just stay in our rooms. I will tell him you are sick."
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Yes, as if that won't make him more suspicious."
"Narcissa! He has absolutely no qualms with torturing people. Killing them! I can't even begin to imagine life without you now! I need you to be safe!" His cheeks had grown slightly pink as his nerves and temperature rose, and his breathing was heavy. She was quite sure she had never seen him look quite so… beautiful before. And all because of how worried he was about her. She smiled at him softly and stood up, taking his hand.
"Come with me," she said, leading him out of the room and down the hall.
"We need to talk to the elves and prepare…. I…."
Hermione silently pulled him along and opened the door to their bedroom and walking in, releasing his hands.
"Boden!" she called. The houself appeared, and Hermione spoke to him, not taking her eyes off of her husband. "Boden, the Dark Lord will be joining us for dinner. Do your best to make dinner selection for him as pleasant as possible. Feel free to confer with the Lestrange elves or Bellatrix about what he would most like to eat. Have everything perfectly presentable at a quarter to seven and let us know when it is that time. We will greet the Dark Lord as a family in the drawing room. Make sure Draco is bathed and ready for guests."
Boden nodded before popping away, and Hermione spoke then to Lucius. "Lucius, you are nervous. I understand. So, tell me, if one does not wish for a Legilimens to look too close but questions their abilities, what are the recommendations?"
Lucius looked puzzled as he responded. "To focus on recent vivid memories that evoked strong emotion."
With a wave of her wand, Hermione shut the bedroom door and raised an eyebrow at Lucius. She then went to stand just a breath away, bracing her hands on his chest. "I know the timing isn't perfect and perhaps not as romantic as it should be, but I've never been known for being anything if not practical. So, in short….. Lucius, I love you. I am your wife. Why don't we make some memories?"
His eyes widened comically, and she giggled as she grabbed his shirt by the collar and pulled him into a heated kiss. It did not take long for him to respond in full.
Three hours later, Hermione was seated with Draco leaned back against her chest in the drawing room. As Lucius entered, it came into mind that they created a perfect picture. Narcissa looking out of the window, her hair perfectly coiled up into a neat French twist with a smile on her face. She wore a cream colored silk blouse with tiny black polka dots with a black trumpet skirt that ruffled at her mid-calf, exposing just a little bit of her legs before they ended in her black stilettos. Draco was closely studying his dragon rattle, its taste in particular, his unoccupied hand resting against his mother's bust, wearing a tiny grey suit.
"Narcissa," he said with a smile as he entered, drawing her attention to him. "You look happy."
She smirked, "Well, I have had a great afternoon so far."
His eyes lit up even more in response as he walked toward her and leaned down to kiss her gently, running his hand through his son's hair as he did so. They were a family. In every way possible. In every way that counted.
He pulled away, and Hermione looked at him meaningfully before sliding into character. "I am so pleased that the Dark Lord is seeking out a relationship with Draco. How long until he is due to arrive?"
Lucius frowned before nodding, resolutely, looking at the clock on the mantle above the fireplace. "Three minutes. Do the elves have everything ready?"
"Mink assures me that everything is prepared."
"Wonderful. I brought in my best cognac from my office for the occasion."
Hermione nodded, kissing Draco on the head. She knew, logically, that nothing too horrible could happen at this meeting. After all, the Dark Lord believed the Malfoys to be loyal until his downfall, even when he wasn't pleased with them, and Draco was healthy as best she knew.
The Dark Lord was punctual if nothing else good could be said for him, attested by the fact that at 7 sharp, Boden escorted the man into the drawing room. Lucius immediately bowed deeply, while Hermione stood and curtsied, turning Draco to face their guest as she stood.
"My Lord," they intoned as one.
He was a handsome man to be sure. His hair was cut neatly but quite long on top, showing off shiny black waves, and his eyes were a deep blue violet color. If he had had no expression on his face, Hermione believed he would be described as striking. His cheekbones were very pronounced and slightly too angular, and his nose was quite thin, drawing more attention to very full lips which were set in a smile. The smile was where the evil lay.
The smile conveyed intelligence and hubris and the show of teeth somehow came off as threatening. A wolf in wait for its meal to come just a tiny bit closer. "Lucius, Narcissa. Thank you for so graciously hosting me for dinner. I am overjoyed at the opportunity to meet young Draco."
Hermione took that as her cue to step forward with Draco, quelling the discomfort in her stomach as she spoke. "I'm sure he will look back on your interest in him with pride, my Lord. Lucius brought his best cognac if you would like a glass?"
Voldemort nodded, reaching out a hand to brush through Draco's hair. "That would be very nice. Thank you, Lucius."
Draco looked up at him with no comprehension, and Hermione smiled at her son. She could imagine the Dark Lord would not be impressed if Draco shied away from him instinctually.
"A beautiful child, Narcissa. Of course, it is to be expected with him having you for a mother. Lucius is a lucky man," the Dark Lord said politely as Lucius handed him a glass of auburn tinged liquid, another in his own hand.
"Thank you, My Lord. Will you be kind enough to walk me to the dining room?" Hermione responded. The Dark Lord nodded and the four of them set off toward the dining room.
As they walked through the doorway, Lucius formally asked, "My Lord, I request you take the seat at the head of the table as our honored guest."
Lucius pulled what had become Narcissa's new chair out for her and took a seat across, at the Dark Lord's other side.
Immediately, food appeared on the table and Voldemort nodded appreciatively, taking in the French staples and delicacies laid out. "I do believe this is promising to be the best meal I have had in a while."
"You honor us, My Lord. We hope it is all to your liking," Lucius said.
Hermione was not super surprised that Voldemort did not seem to attempt legilimancy on her over dinner. Instead, they small talked over the changes that a baby had wrought on the Malfoy household. The conversation was so mild and normal, that Hermione found it surreal to be having it with none other than Lord Voldemort himself.
After the meal was finished, Draco was starting to get fussy in the small cot they had placed him in. "I believe it is time for our Draco to go to his bed, if that is okay with you, My Lord," she said, calmly, picking Draco up and holding him to her chest.
"Of course. We will let you take care of that while Lucius and I discuss a bit of business. Goodnight, Draco," he said, eyes seeming to spark with more interest now that a baby was not the topic of discussion. Hermione nodded as she carried her son from the room, leaving her husband with his "master".
After she was gone, Lucius turned his full attention to the man next to him. "How may I serve you, My Lord?"
Lord Voldemort nodded appreciatively. "I have been quite pleased with the investments you have made on my behalf lately. You really are skilled with business. However, I have been more pleased with the fact that you seem to be taking more interest in showing your love for our cause in more ways than just finances. Your proxy seat in the Wizengamot has been useful, of course, but you didn't do much maneuvering before, simply voting the way you were sure I would approve of. You've become more active around the courts and within the ministry lately. I've also heard you are attempting to appeal to more of the neutral families in hopes to sway them toward our side."
Lucius nodded. He and Narcissa had, of course, discussed how to cover the conversation when it eventually came up. "Yes, My Lord. Narcissa has helped me realize that I have not been the man I should be. I was allowing comfort in my position to make me weak and middling. I have not been using my skills to the best of my ability, something which I am profoundly sorry for… most of all to you and Narcissa. I aim to rectify my mistakes and be better for the sake of both our cause and my family." His eyes held the Dark Lord's as he spoke, even as his gut churned at what might be asked for him in his growing capacity within the ranks. He felt the Dark Lord's mind brush against his own and did his best to push forward thoughts of embarrassment of being run over by Narcissa and overlooked (even when he had wanted to be) by the Dark Lord.
Voldemort nodded. "Wonderful. I will admit that I had expected much more of you. I am pleased that you see your faults and intend to improve upon them. To that end, I can give you a task I think you would be well suited for completing."
Lucius swallowed, waiting for the older man to continue.
"I have recently learned that the prophecy spoken can actually apply to two people. Previously, I had set my sights on the Longbottom baby, born on the 30th of the month. His parents are both Aurors and have been openly defiant on multiple occasions. However, Sterling Parkinson told me today that he overheard that Sirius Black walking about the ministry showing off a photo of his new godson, James Potter's new son. Apparently, the child was a bit premature. Sterling had to put a few healers under the Imperius curse to pull the records for him, but the Potter heir was born just before midnight on the 31st."
Lucius felt his eyes widen. "That is surprising. Which one do you think the prophecy to be about? Could it really be the Potter heir? The Longbottom heir is of better birth, of course. Alice Longbottom is from a good family, unlike James Potter's mudblood wife."
Voldemort nodded. "That is true. However, I think that makes it even more likely to be the Potter boy."
"How so?" Lucius asked, genuinely interested to know the Dark Lord's answer.
"First of all, my birthday is the last day of December. It seems appropriate that the only one able to kill me would be someone born on the same day of the month. Even under the same moon, if you'd believe it. And second, we both know that on the rare occurrence, a strong wizard or witch can be born to a less than ideal bloodline. An anomaly, but I believe Severus Snape and Albus Dumbledore are both testaments to the fact. Regardless, I plan to wipe out both families. They are all blood traitors and defiant of the changes that need to be made."
Lucius nodded, thoughtfully. "And what would you like my role to be in this? The Longbottoms haven't been seen lately. People assume they have gone into hiding. Are the Potters still in public? Get Sirius Black and have him give up the information?"
"From all I have heard of Sirius Black, he'd die before giving up anything valuable. I'm afraid not, but that is where you will be of help. I make it a point to know my enemies and store information away regarding them. Severus and Regulus both mentioned James was very good friends with a small group of boys at Hogwarts. I wish for you to get close to one of them. He's weak, malleable, and quite poor. Both Severus and Regulus expressed surprise that the other three would even be friends with him. His mother, I have heard, is also dreadfully ill. I believe the Malfoy finances could help, and surely he would want to repay his debt… I need you to put your silver tongue to work."
"Peter Pettigrew. Why go after him and not Black? What security measures do you think they have?"
"I'm unsure what measures they have taken. Regardless of them, you know the Black family. They might be crazy, but they are loyal to their decisions. Sirius Black has picked his side. While I am fine with… convincing him to give up information, I don't like the idea of them seeing it coming, and it would only get one issue out of the way. We have the entire order, including Dumbledore, to subdue. It will just make the task harder if they go to extra measures to hide the child. It is for that reason that your mission of Pettigrew stay secret. No one is to know. We can force him and get information about the Potters easily. Or, we can build a spy. Someone close to the enemy that we can use well after the Potter and Longbottom children are dealt with. We can make him happy to pass along information to us for years if he believes his relationships with us are more valuable than his relationships with them. After all, I don't think little Harry Potter will come waving a wand at me anytime soon. We must play this smartly."
"You do realize that I barely know Pettigrew? He was a first year during my seventh and a Gryffindor. I'm surprised you don't think Snape would be useful as well. Two heads are better than one."
"You and I have two heads together, Lucius. We can get this done without Severus. Although, I am fine with your wife knowing and helping if you think she can. Severus… Severus's relationship with Pettigrew is not good. He'd be more likely to send Pettigrew screaming than coax him to our side. Also, I hope to keep the knowledge that Sterling Parkinson gave me a secret for a while yet, especially from Severus. He has an unhealthy fondness for Lily Potter. They were childhood friends. I do not want to listen to his whinging about her death. And while I believe Severus is loyal, his loyalty was originally with her. If his motives were to change… I don't much favor him becoming an enemy. He knows too much, and he is far too useful."
"And when you kill the Potter woman?" Lucius asked, calmly.
"I will tell him that I will do my best to not hurt her. Honestly, though, she's a mother. She likely will die protecting the whelp." The older man smirked, evilly. "Pity, that. I'm sure Severus will understand though. And even if he doesn't, the prophecy will be taken care of."
Lucius thought for a few moments of all of the information and its repercussions. "Peter Pettigrew, then," he summarized.
"Precisely," Lord Voldemort said, a cruel smirk turning up the edge of his lips.
Author's Note: Thanks for all of your awesome reviews! Please continue to share your thoughts. :)